When the Texans return to practice on Wednesday to prepare for Sunday night’s game against Green Bay, they will be without Brian Cushing, their defensive captain and the player who sets the tempo with his intensity and passion for the game. An MRI confirmed on Tuesday that Cushing suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Monday night’s 23-17 victory over the New York Jets.

“It’s a big blow to our team,” coach Gary Kubiak said.

While Cushing’s loss is devastating for him and the defense, the Texans are accustomed to playing without some of their best players. In the fifth game last season, they lost outside linebacker Mario Williams for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Rookie Brooks Reed was the next man up, and he played exceptionally over the last 11 games and two more in postseason.

“Brian’s going to be missed, but we have guys that’ll have to pick it up,” Kubiak said.

The next man up this season is Tim Dobbins, a seven-year veteran who’s been the top backup on the inside and the leading tackler on special teams. Dobbins (6-1, 246) is a physical player against the run who struggles in coverage. He’s a smart player who doesn’t have a lot of missed assignments, but he’s limited, talent-wise.

Dobbins knows the defense well because he played for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips in San Diego, where he was a fifth-round pick from Iowa State in 2006.

“Dobbins will have the first shot at it,” Kubiak said. “He played well (against the Jets).”

Cushing’s loss will be felt more in passing situations. He stayed on the field for every down. He could stop the run, cover backs and tight ends and rush the passer when necessary. Now Bradie James will replace Cushing in nickel situations, and he can’t cover like Cushing.

The backup inside players now become Mister Alexander, a second-year player who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2011, and Jesse Nading, whose primary position is on the outside.

Another option, in a few weeks, could be Darryl Sharpton, who’s on the physically unable to perform list recovering from surgery on a torn quad tendon and a knee ligament. He suffered a setback in camp with a hip injury. Before he was injured last season, Sharpton was alternating with DeMeco Ryans at an inside position next to Cushing.

“If he was available to come off (PUP) today and help us, he still wouldn’t be ready,” Kubiak said. “We have some more time before any decision has to be made.”

The Texans host Green Bay and Baltimore before taking their bye week. That’s when they’ll know if Sharpton is ready to be placed on the roster.

“We’re pushing him toward that date (bye week) where we can get a good look at him, but right now, there’s still progress to be made,” Kubiak said.